Cleveland man held on $1 million bond in alleged rape

LORAIN — A Cleveland man is being held on a $1 million bond in connection with the alleged rape of an 11-year-old Lorain girl, according to police.
John Williams, 47, 3312 137th St., was arrested April 30 and transported to Lorain from the Cuyahoga County Jail after a month-long investigation, according to Detective Tabitha Angello.
Williams became a “person of interest” when police launched the investigation at the beginning of April, Angello said.
She said Williams was being held at the jail for violating his parole and is currently registered as a Tier II sex offender with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Sheriff’s Office website, Williams was convicted in January 2013 for the abduction of an 8-year-old girl.
Williams began a “short-term relationship” with the girl over the Internet, and in February he met with her in Lorain and took her back to Cleveland, where the alleged sexual assault took place, according to Angello.
“He came from Cleveland to here to pick her up, and then took her back to a hotel in Cleveland, where he engaged in sexual contact with her,” she added.
Williams is in the Lorain City Jail and awaiting transfer to the Lorain County Jail.
He is scheduled to appear in Lorain Municipal Court on May 7, according to Angello.